Voice of America, 97-04-22

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA / FORCE BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

[02] BULGARIA VOTES REFORM BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[03] BUSINESS TRAVELERS/INTERNET (L) BY STEVE NORMAN (WASHINGTON)

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[05] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[06] FRANCE POL REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[09] WORLDSPACE BY YEHEYES WUHIB (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIA / FORCE BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

INTRO: AS TROOPS FROM AN ITALIAN-LED MULTI-NATIONAL, FORCE TAKE UP POSITIONS AROUND ALBANIA, SOME ANALYSTS ARE BEGINNING TO QUESTION EXACTLY WHAT THEIR MISSION WILL BE. OFFICIALS SAY THE FORCE WILL PROVIDE SECURITY FOR AID SHIPMENTS. BUT AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS SAY SUPPLIES ARE BEING DELIVERED WITHOUT MILITARY ESCORT.

TEXT: SOLDIERS SERVING IN THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE FOR ALBANIA HAVE SAID SINCE THEIR ARRIVAL THEY ARE ON A HUMANITARIAN MISSION.

BUT WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GUNS STILL IN THE HANDS OF CIVILIANS AND CRIMINAL GANGS, MANY PEOPLE SAY WHAT ALBANIA NEEDS IS HELP IN DISARMING ITS POPULATION.

ONE OF THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE TO ARRIVE IN ALBANIA, FRENCH ARMY MAJOR HERVE GOURMELON, SAYS ROUNDING UP WEAPONS IS NOT PART OF THE MANDATE OF THE U-N BACKED MISSION.

BECAUSE ITS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE, I THINK FROM A MILITARY POINT OF VIEW, TO PASS DAYS AND NIGHTS SEARCHING HOUSES AND SEARCHING CARS. IT MIGHT PROVOKE THE CONTRARY. INSTEAD OF PEACE, IT MIGHT PROVOKE A KIND OF PARANOIA AND ALL THIS KIND OF THINGS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE TROOPS ARE IN ALBANIA TO PROTECT AID SHIPMENTS AND TO PROVIDE A MEASURE OF STABILITY WHILE THE COUNTRY TRIES TO RECOVER FROM THE CHAOS THAT BEGAN MONTHS AGO WITH THE COLLAPSE OF GET-RICH QUICK INVESTMENT SCHEMES.

INTERNATIONAL RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS POINT OUT DELIVERIES OF FOOD AND MEDICINE ALREADY ARE WELL UNDERWAY AND HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE WITHOUT THE PROTECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE, WHICH IS NOT FULLY DEPLOYED.

A WORKER WITH THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS, NINA WINDQUIST-GALBA, SAYS SHE BELIEVES THE MILITARY MISSION SHOULD HAVE A BROADER EMPHASIS THAN SIMPLY PROTECTING AID.

THE SENDING OF THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IS A WELCOME STEP IF IT WILL NOT ONLY CONCENTRATE ON HUMANITARIAN AID, IF IT WILL OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE MAIN URGENCY TODAY IS OF A POLITICAL NATURE AND MAIN NEED WOULD BE TO REESTABLISH LAW AND ORDER ON A NATIONWIDE BASIS, AS WELL AS OPEN THE COMMERCIAL LINKS WITHIN THE COUNTRY.

THAT SENTIMENT IS SHARED BY OTHERS. THE OWNER AND EDITOR OF ALBANIA'S LARGEST INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER, NIKOLL LESI, SAYS IT WILL BE A MISTAKE FOR THE FORCE TO LIMIT ITSELF TO THE PROTECTION OF AID.

MR. LESI SAYS HE THINKS THEY SHOULD FOCUS LESS ON PROTECTING AID AND PUBLICLY STATE THEY ARE FOR THE RESTORATION OF ORDER IN ALBANIA. HE SAYS THEY SHOULD DO THIS BY WORKING WITH ALBANIAN POLICE TO CREATE THE IMPRESSION ORDER IS BEING RESTORED, BECAUSE WITHOUT ORDER IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE ELECTIONS PLANNED FOR JUNE.

ITALIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE WILL TRY TO HELP RE-ESTABLISH ORDER IN THE COUNTRY AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED THE MISSION WILL BE BROADER THAN SIMPLY PROTECTING AID.

BUT ASIDE FROM PROVIDING MORAL SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTRY'S BELEAGUERED POLICE, IT IS STILL NOT CLEAR WHAT THE SIX-THOUSAND MAN INTERNATIONAL FORCE WILL BE DOING. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/RAE
22-Apr-97 11:46 AM EDT (1546 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] BULGARIA VOTES REFORM BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRODUCTION: ELECTIONS IN BULGARIA LAST WEEKEND GAVE A CENTER-RIGHT FREE MARKET PARTY A CLEAR MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT AND A MANDATE FOR SWEEPING REFORM OF AN ECONOMY IN CRISIS. V-O-A'S ED WARNER ASKED TWO BULGARIA WATCHERS IN THE UNITED STATES WHAT THE PROSPECTS ARE FOR CHANGE UNDER THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: FROM COMMUNISM TO CHAOS. THAT IS HOW MIEKE MEURS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, DESCRIBES BULGARIA SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM.

THE STREETS OF THE CAPITAL, SOFIA, WERE INDEED CHAOTIC EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN MASS PROTESTS ALMOST PARALYZED THE CITY AND FORCED NEW ELECTIONS THIS MONTH. NINETY PERCENT OF BULGARIANS LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY THRESHOLD OF FOUR DOLLARS A DAY, WITH PRICES (FOR GOODS AND SERVICES) RISING, UNTIL RECENTLY, AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF TWO-THOUSAND PERCENT.

PROFESSOR MEURS SAYS SOMETHING HAD TO CHANGE:

THERE IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE OF THE MARKET ECONOMY IN DOWNTOWN SOFIA: NEON SIGNS, DELICIOUS IMPORTED FOOD, LOVELY COFFEE AS IF YOU WERE IN VIENNA OR SOMEWHERE. BUT IN TERMS OF GETTING AN ECONOMIC STRUCTURE UP AND RUNNING THAT WOULD REALLY ALLOW PEOPLE TO GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES UNDER A NEW SYSTEM, THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED, AND PEOPLE REALLY WANT THAT TO HAPPEN SO THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD.

IT COULD HAPPEN NOW. LAST WEEKEND'S ELECTIONS OUSTED THE SOCIALIST PARTY AND RETURNED (TO POWER) THE UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES, WITH 52 PERCENT OF THE VOTE AND A CLEAR MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT. ARE THEY UP TO THE JOB? THEY SAY THEY ARE COMMITTED TO BROAD ECONOMIC REFORM.

A CENTRAL FEATURE OF REFORM BEING URGED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IS A CURRENCY BOARD, SCHEDULED TO BE SET UP BY JULY, THAT WILL KEEP THE GOVERNMENT FROM PRINTING TOO MUCH MONEY AND FUELING INFLATION.

MUCH MORE IS NEEDED, SAYS JOHN LAMPE, WHO VISITED BULGARIA IN LATE MARCH. HE IS DIRECTOR OF EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER IN WASHINGTON.

HE SAYS BULGARIA MUST PRIVATIZE ITS LARGE INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES AND ESTABLISH A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR DOING BUSINESS AND ATTRACTING BADLY NEEDED FOREIGN INVESTMENT:

THERE IS A REALIZATION THAT AS PRESIDENT (PETAR) STOYANOV HAS SAID, "THE FACTORY FOR ILLUSIONS IS CLOSED." AND AS HARD AS IT IS GOING TO BE, EVEN MANY OF THE PENSIONERS WHO HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY SQUEEZED BY THE FAILURES IN THE ECONOMY REALIZE THAT HANGING ON TO THE OLD SYSTEM AND THE CORRUPTION THEREOF WAS A DEAD END. I REALLY DID FIND THIS CONVICTION ON ALL SIDES TO HAVE THE MARKET TRANSITION, THE RECONNECTION WITH THE LEGAL EUROPEAN ECONOMY AS OPPOSED TO THE ILLEGAL BALKAN WAR ECONOMY AND SOME OF THE ILLEGAL ASPECTS OF DOING BUSINESS WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE.

BUIT THERE ARE THOSE WHO BENEFIT FROM THE PRESENT WAY OF DOING BUSINESS, SAYS PROFESSOR MEURS. ONE OF THE HARDEST TASKS WILL BE REDUCING THE POWER OF THE VESTED INTERESTS WHO HAVE EXPLOITED THE TRANSITION TO CAPITALISM AND IMPEDED REFORM.

PROFESSOR MUERS SAYS UNLIKE OTHER EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, BULGARIA LACKS A TECHNOCRATIC (TECHNICAL AND BUREAUCRATIC) CULTURE TO ADVANCE REFORM. SO BULGARIANS WHO HAVE SHOWN MUCH PATIENCE MAY BEGIN TO RUN OUT OF PATIENCE. IN THEIR FRUSTRATION, SHE THINKS THEY COULD TURN TO THE IRON FIST, AN AUTHORITARIAN RULE THAT CAN AT LEAST ASSURE ECONOMIC ORDER.

SHE THINKS PATIENCE WILL WIN OUT. SHE HAS CONDUCTED MANY INTERVIEWS FOR LIFE HISTORIES OF BULGARIANS:

BULGARIANS HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT REALLY. THEY LIVED THROUGH WORLD WAR TWO. THEY LIVED THROUGH THE ALLIANCE WITH GERMANY AND THE PUNISHMENT IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD AND THE EARLY PERIOD OF COMMUNISM, WHERE PEOPLE LIVED IN SUCH POVERTY IN ORDER TO BUILD WHAT THEY THOUGHT WOULD BE A GLOWING SOCIALIST FUTURE. AND NOW THEY HAVE DISCOVERED THEY ARE NOT BUILDING THAT, EITHER. I THINK PEOPLE ARE VERY PRACTICED IN JUST TURNING BACK TO TENDING THEIR OWN GARDEN AND WAITING FOR THE ELITES TO FINISH WHATEVER BATTLES THEY ARE FIGHTING OUT.

PROFESSORS MEURS AND JOHN LAMPE SAY THE ELITE NOW IN POWER HAS THE GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY OF NOT ONCE AGAIN DISAPPOINTING BULGARIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/EW/RRM
22-Apr-97 5:21 PM EDT (2121 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] BUSINESS TRAVELERS/INTERNET (L) BY STEVE NORMAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A GROWING NUMBER OF WORKERS ARE DEPENDING ON THE WORLDWIDE COMPUTER NETWORK (INTERNET) TO DO THEIR JOBS, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN THE OFFICE. STEVE NORMAN REPORTS SOME HOTELS ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET FOR THEIR GUESTS.

TEXT: A RECENT SURVEY INDICATES MORE THAN 60-PERCENT OF BUSINESS TRAVELERS CARRY PORTABLE COMPUTERS. MOST MAJOR HOTEL COMPANIES ARE UPDATING THEIR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS TO SERVE THIS NEW GENERATION OF PEOPLE ON-THE-GO (TRAVELERS).

HOTEL EXECUTIVE FRED MOSSER'S COMPANY -- WINGATE -- OPERATES HOTELS ALL OVER THE WORLD. HE SAYS THEIR FIRST STEP IN ACCOMMODATING BUSINESS PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL WITH PORTABLE COMPUTERS IS TO INSTALL TWO TELEPHONE LINES IN EACH GUEST ROOM.

WITH THAT YOU CAN PLUG IN YOUR LAPTOP (PORTABLE COMPUTER) AND DO E-MAIL (SEND ELECTRONIC MESSAGES) OR COMMUNICATE BACK TO THE OFFICE OR DO WHATEVER AND STILL USE THE OTHER (TELEPHONE) LINE FOR NORMAL CONVERSATIONS.

HOTELS ALSO ARE MAKING IT EASIER TO ACCESS THE INTERNET BY INSTALLING TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS AND POWER PLUGS ON TOP OF GUEST ROOM DESKS.

HILTON HOTELS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER ROBERT DIRKS SAYS HIS COMPANY IS SPENDING MORE THAN 20-MILLION DOLLARS -- WORLDWIDE -- TO UPDATE TELEPHONES SYSTEMS AT THEIR HOTELS.

TWO "DOT-FIVE" (PORTABLE COMPUTER) LINES WILL BRING ADDITIONAL TRUNK (TELEPHONE) LINES INTO THE HOTELS, SO THAT THE LAPTOP (PORTABLE COMPUTER) USER OR THE PERSON ON THE INTERNET CAN GET OUT (CONNECT TO THE INTERNET) EASILY.

ALL OF THIS MEANS PEOPLE WHO NEED TO USE PORTABLE COMPUTERS TO DO BUSINESS WHILE THEY ARE TRAVELING WILL NOT HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING CONNECTED TO THE WORLDWIDE COMPUTER NETWORK, THE SO-CALLED INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SRN/RAE
22-Apr-97 10:23 AM EDT (1423 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING TUESDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: PRICES WERE UP IN LONDON, BUT OFF IN BOTH PARIS AND FRANKFURT.

TRADERS IN PARIS APPEARED NERVOUS, CONCERNED ABOUT THE EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS CALLED BY FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC. THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED DOWN EIGHT POINTS, ABOUT THREE-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT.

PRICES ALSO WERE DOWN IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE DAY OFF MORE THAN SEVEN POINTS, ABOUT TWO-TENTHS PERCENT.

BUT IN LONDON, PRICES ROSE FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE DAY. THE FOOTSIE-100 AVERAGE CLOSED UP MORE THAN 17 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH
22-Apr-97 1:43 PM EDT (1743 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE'S POLITICAL PARTIES ARE SCRAMBLING TO ORGANIZE THEIR CAMPAIGN PLATFORMS AFTER PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC DISSOLVED PARLIAMENT (MONDAY) AND CALLED ELECTIONS FOR NEXT MONTH. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE MAIN CAMPAIGN THEMES WILL REVOLVE ROUND EUROPEAN UNITY AND ECONOMIC REFORM.

TEXT: FRENCH PRIME MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE, MEETING TUESDAY WITH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, SAID HE WANTS NEXT MONTH'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN TO CONCENTRATE ON FOUR THEMES.

THESE ARE THE MODERNIZATION OF THE FRENCH STATE, A DEREGULATED BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, RENOVATION OF WHAT HE CALLED FRANCE'S SOCIAL AND CULTURAL MODELS, AND, ABOVE ALL, THE SUCCESS OF EUROPEAN UNITY.

MR. JUPPE MADE THE CALLS BEFORE A MEETING OF 470 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTIES FROM THE RULING CONSERVATIVE COALITION. ACCORDING TO ONE OPINION POLL PUBLISHED THIS WEEK, ABOUT 150 OF THEM CAN BE EXPECTED TO LOSE THEIR SEATS IN THE TWO-ROUND ELECTION THAT BEGINS MAY 25TH. EVEN THAT SCENARIO ASSUMES THE CONSERVATIVE RIGHT WILL RETAIN A COMFORTABLE MAJORITY IN THE 577-SEAT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

PRESIDENT CHIRAC CALLED ELECTIONS NINE-MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME, MAINLY BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE FOR ELECTIONS WOULD HAVE COINCIDED WITH THE CRUCIAL LAST-MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF THE NEW SINGLE-EUROPEAN CURRENCY NEXT APRIL. MEANWHILE, THE LATEST OPINION POLL SHOWS BOTH MR. JUPPE AND PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC HAVE LOST FOUR-PERCENTAGE POINTS EACH SINCE LAST MONTH. THE NEW POLL PUBLISHED IN THE WEEKLY PARIS-MATCH INDICATES MR. JUPPE HAS ONLY A 25-PERCENT POSITIVE RATING. THIS COMES AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS IN WHICH THE GENERALLY UN-POPULAR MR. JUPPE HAS BEEN RISING IN PUBLIC ESTEEM.

THE POLL SHOWS HOW DIFFICULT THE GAMBLE UNDERTAKEN BY PRESIDENT CHIRAC COULD BE. ALTHOUGH THE OPPOSITION SOCIALIST PARTY IS ALSO LOW IN THE POLL, THE CONSERVATIVES' VICTORY IN THE ELECTIONS IS NOT ASSURED.

AS IF TO REASSURE PUBLIC OPINION, SOCIALIST LEADERS ARE EXPRESSING THEIR READINESS, IF THEY ARE ELECTED, TO GOVERN IN TANDEM WITH THE CONSERVATIVE MR. CHIRAC -- WHO HAS FIVE-YEARS OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL MANDATE LEFT.

SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER LIONEL JOSPIN HAS ALREADY EAR-MARKED PRIME MINISTER JUPPE AS HIS MAIN TARGET IN THE COMING CAMPAIGN. MEANWHILE, THE CONSERVATIVES ARE LIKELY TO CONCENTRATE ON THE FACT THE SOCIALISTS ARE LIKELY TO MUSTER A GOVERNING MAJORITY ONLY IF THEY STRIKE A PACT WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH/RAE
22-Apr-97 12:37 PM EDT (1637 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] FRANCE POL REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AN ANALYST ON EUROPE DESCRIBES FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC'S DECISION TO CALL EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AS A PRE-EMPTIVE MOVE TO BRING FRANCE INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE CRITERIA FOR JOINING THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS GUNNAR NIELSSON, PROFESSOR ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WARNS THE ELECTION COULD WEAKEN FRANCE POLITICALLY AS SEEKS GREATER EUROPEAN INTEGRATION:

TEXT: MR. NIELSSON SAYS PRESIDENT CHIRAC'S DECISION IS DRIVEN BY FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES INCLUDING THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NATO. HE SAYS THE FRENCH LEADER, FACING BUDGET BATTLES AND RISING UNEMPLOYMENT, MUST IMPOSE AUSTERITY MEASURES FOLLOWING THE ELECTIONS.

IN ORDER TO BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION, OR E-M-U, AND ITS SINGLE CURRENCY, THE EURO, MEMBERS MUST REDUCE THEIR DEFICITS TO ONLY THREE-PERCENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT:

CALLING AN EARLY ELECTION IS TO PUT THE ISSUES BEFORE THE FRENCH PUBLIC IN A DEBATE IN ORDER TO PREPARE THE PUBLIC FOR THE AUSTERITY MEASURES THAT WILL BE SOUGHT FROM FURTHER BOTH FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICY CHANGES IN ORDER TO MEET THAT CRITERIA.

MR. CHIRAC HAS SOUGHT TO REDUCE THE FRENCH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, NOW ABOVE 12-PERCENT. PROPONENTS OF THE EURO SAY THE SINGLE CURRENCY WILL HELP TURN THE 15-NATION EUROPEAN UNION INTO AN ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER.

IRONICALLY, SAYS MR. NIELSSON, MR. CHIRAC MAY LOSE HIS CONSERVATIVE PARTY MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT AND ENTER NEGOTIATIONS ON GREATER EUROPEAN INTEGRATION IN A WEAKENED POSITION. THE EURO IS A KEY ISSUE IN THE CURRENT BRITISH ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND HAS ALSO AFFECTED GERMAN POLITICS. (SIGNED).
21-Apr-97 9:39 PM EDT (0139 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (TUESDAY), REFLECTING WHAT MANY ANALYSTS SAY IS OPTIMISM ABOUT THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET DEFICIT. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 68 HUNDRED 33, UP 173 POINTS OR ALMOST THREE PERCENT AND THE SECOND LARGEST GAIN EVER. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 774, UP 14 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE OF A REPORT THAT THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET GAP CONTINUES TO NARROW, WITH THE DEFICIT IN MARCH LESS THAN HALF WHAT IT WAS A YEAR AGO. BOB ROBBINS OF THE ROBINSON HUMPHREY INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS THERE IS ALSO OPTIMISM THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS WILL REACH AGREEMENT ON A NEW BUDGET.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF EXCITEMENT ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, THAT MAYBE WE WILL GET A BREAKTHROUGH IN WASHINGTON.

WALL STREET WAS ALSO IMPRESSED BY THE RELEASE OF MORE STRONG QUARTERLY EARNINGS REPORTS. THEY SHOW RECORD PROFITS FOR SUCH FIRMS AS THE BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, THE MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND FOR THE U-A-L CORPORATION, THE PARENT COMPANY OF UNITED AIRLINES.

BUT HIGHER EARNINGS DO NOT NECESSARILY PLEASE STOCK TRADERS IF THE INCREASE WAS LESS THAN EXPECTED. A GOOD EXAMPLE IS THE EAGLE U-S-A AIRFREIGHT COMPANY, WHICH REPORTED A 40 PERCENT JUMP IN EARNINGS. ITS STOCK VALUE DROPPED BY ALMOST ONE THIRD BECAUSE THE PROFIT JUMP WAS WELL BELOW EXPECTATIONS.

THE EFFECTS OF A 12-DAY OLD STRIKE AT A CHRYSLER ENGINE PLANT ARE SPREADING. CHRYSLER SAYS IT HAS NOW SHUT DOWN 14 OTHER PLANTS, LAYING OFF ABOUT 20 THOUSAND WORKERS.

THERE IS A REPORT OF TENSIONS AMONG THE U-S TOBACCO COMPANIES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO HEALTH-RELATED LAWSUITS. THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS THE SMALLER COMPANIES WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO RAISE PRICES TO HELP PAY FOR A SETTLEMENT WHILE INDUSTRY LEADER PHILIP MORRIS COULD PROBABLY ABSORB SETTLEMENT COSTS, GIVING IT A FURTHER COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. (SIGNED). NEB/NY/BA/LSF/KL
22-Apr-97 5:06 PM EDT (2106 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE ARE TWO RECURRENT TOPICS EVIDENT AS ONE SCANS THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF MANY U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY. ONE IS THE POLITICAL PREDICAMENT INVOLVING ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND THE OTHER, THE RED RIVER FLOODING IN NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA.

OTHER TOPICS DEALT WITH INCLUDE: THE PROPOSED DEAL WITH TOBACCO COMPANIES; THE LOAN TO HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH BY FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE; A DISPUTE OVER THE RUSSIAN CROWN JEWELS AND THE CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY (4/22).

NOW, HERE IS _________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THREE NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON AN ISRAELI POLICE INVESTIGATION WHICH CHARGED MR. NETANYAHU WITH FRAUD AND CORRUPTION. THE WASHINGTON POST SUGGESTS THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROSECUTOR'S TEAM DECIDED THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO INDICT THE PRIME MINISTER:

VOICE: "MR. NETANYAHU, NONETHELESS, HAS BEEN HURT. THE RESULT ALMOST SURELY WILL BE TO EMBOLDEN HIS POLITICAL ADVERSARIES AND PERHAPS TO INCLINE HIM TO RELY A BIT MORE ON HIS NATIONALIST AND ULTRA-ORTHODOX CONSTITUENCIES. THIS COULD AFFECT HIS CONDUCT OF POLICY TOWARD THE PALESTINIANS. [OPT] IT COULD ALSO AFFECT HIS HANDLING OF THE INFLAMMATORY ISSUE OF WHICH ISRAELI RABBIS MAY REGULATE CONVERSIONS TO JUDAISM. THIS SEEMINGLY ABSTRUSE ISSUE BEARS ON THE LEGITIMACY OF BRANCHES OF JUDAISM OTHER THAN ORTHODOX AND IS OF INTENSE PERSONAL CONCERN TO MANY JEWS LIVING OUTSIDE ISRAEL." [END OPT]

TEXT: ADDS THE NEW YORK TIMES:

VOICE: "ISRAEL'S TOP PROSECUTORS SPARED PRIME MINISTER ... NETANYAHU THE EMBARRASSMENT OF A CRIMINAL TRIAL AND THE INSTANT COLLAPSE OF HIS GOVERNMENT SUNDAY. ..... BUT THE PROSECUTORS' ANNOUNCEMENT, WHICH ALSO CITED THEIR 'TANGIBLE SUSPICION' THAT MR. NETANYAHU MISBEHAVED, DAMAGED HIM POLITICALLY AND LEFT THE FATE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND THE PEACE PROCESS IN DOUBT. [OPT] HIS HASTY PROCLAMATION THAT THE AFFAIR IS NOW BEHIND HIM WAS UNREALISTIC. ..... THE COMING WEEKS WILL DETERMINE IF HE CAN REGAIN THE TRUST OF ISRAELIS WHO ELECTED HIM TO THEIR NATION'S HIGHEST OFFICE LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO."

TEXT: AND IN CONNECTICUT'S CAPITAL, THE HARTFORD COURANT ADDS:

VOICE: "ISRAEL'S SUPREME COURT WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO OVERTURN THE PROSECUTORS' DECISION. FOR NOW, ISRAEL'S AMERICAN FRIENDS CAN ONLY LAMENT THE TURMOIL THE NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT HAS WROUGHT BECAUSE OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S 'MISTAKES.'"

TEXT: TURNING TO THE DAY'S OTHER MAJOR TOPIC, THE RED RIVER FLOODING THAT HAS INUNDATED LARGE PARTS OF THE DAKOTAS AND MINNESOTA, THE MIAMI HERALD IS CALLING ON ITS READERS TO HELP, AS THEY WERE HELPED PREVIOUSLY.

VOICE: "NEARLY 56 MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE ANDREW STRUCK, SOUTH FLORIDIANS ARE WELL AWARE OF HOW THE REST OF THE WORLD REACTS TO A DISASTER. INTEREST BUILDS, CRESTS, THEN RECEDES - - MUCH LIKE A FLOOD. WHEN THE WINDS ARE HOWLING OR THE WATERS ARE RISING, THE CAMERAS ARE ROLLING. THEY REMAIN FOR THE AWFUL AFTERMATH, VIVIDLY CAPTURING THE VISTAS OF DESTRUCTION AND RUIN. THEN, AS SUDDENLY AS A KANSAS TWISTER [TORNADO] COMES AND GOES, THE WORLD'S ATTENTION FLITS OFF TO SOME OTHER LOCALE'S DISASTER DU JOUR [ITALICS FOR A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: MEANING "OF THE DAY"]. SO SOUTH FLORIDIANS IN PARTICULAR CAN APPRECIATE WHAT MAY WELL LIE AHEAD FOR THE VAST AREAS OF THE DAKOTAS AND MINNESOTA INUNDATED BY WHAT'S BEING CALLED 'A 500-YEAR FLOOD.'

TEXT: IN MARYLAND, THE BALTIMORE SUN WORRIES THAT THESE NATURAL DISASTERS, SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN INFREQUENTLY, ARE OCCURRING MORE OFTEN.

VOICE: "AS THE RED RIVER [OF THE NORTH] RAGED OVER MAKESHIFT DIKES FUTILEY ERECTED AGAINST ITS WRATH IN NORTH DAKOTA, DROWNING CITIES BENEATH A COLUMN OF WATER ALMOST 8 METERS ABOVE FLOOD LEVEL, METEOROLOGISTS WERE HARD PRESSED TO DESCRIBE ITS MAGNITUDE IN HUMAN CHRONOLOGY. ..... CLIMATOLOGICAL RECORDS ARE BEING BROKEN MORE RAPIDLY THAN EVER. A 100-YEAR-STORM MAY AS LIKELY REPEAT WITHIN A FEW YEARS AS WAITING ANOTHER CENTURY. .... HUMAN DEVELOPMENT HAS ALTERED THE EARTH'S SURFACE AND ATMOSPHERE, PROMOTING GREATER WEATHER CHANGES AND EFFECTS THAN AN UNTOUCHED ENVIRONMENT WOULD GENERATE BY ITSELF."

TEXT: TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION WRITES ON THE CHANGING CLIMATE IN THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY. ONE COMPANY HAS SETTLED LITIGATION WITH 22 STATES SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY SMOKING, AND NOW, TWO LARGE COMPANIES ARE IN SIMILAR NEGOTIATIONS. SAYS THE CONSTITUTION, THE POWER OF TOBACCO COMPANY MONEY ON ITS EXECUTIVES IS WHAT HAS KEPT THEM FROM TELLING THE TRUTH TO THE COUNTRY ABOUT THE PROPERTIES OF NICOTINE .

VOICE: "MONEY CAN BE AN ADDICTIVE, MIND-ALTERING SUBSTANCE. IT CAN MAKE PEOPLE SAY THINGS THEY KNOW AREN'T TRUE, AND IN SUFFICIENT DOSES IT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO SHRINK THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE. OVER THE YEARS, THE BEST RESEARCH INTO THE MIND-BENDING POWER OF MONEY HAS COME FROM THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY. IT HAS FED SUBSTANTIAL SUMS OF CASH TO PEOPLE IN A VARIETY OF INFLUENTIAL JOBS ..... TIME AND AGAIN, THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN THE SAME: THE MORE MONEY PEOPLE TAKE, THE SMALLER THEIR CONSCIENCES GROW. THEY ALSO BECOME MUCH MORE LIKELY TO CLAIM THAT CIGARETTES DO NOT HARM HUMAN HEALTH AND THAT NICOTINE IS NOT AN ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE."

TEXT: IN POLITICS, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IS COMING TO THE DEFENSE OF HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH, ROUNDLY CRITICIZED FOR ACCEPTING A 300-THOUSAND DOLLAR LOAN FROM FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE TO PAY OFF A CONGRESSIONAL PENALTY. SAYS THE PAPER:

VOICE: "A MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC DISAPPROVES OF THE DEAL, ACCORDING TO ONE NATIONAL POLL. BUT THAT'S COLORED BY [INFLUENCED BY] THE EXTREMELY LOW APPROVAL RATING OF MR. GINGRICH HIMSELF, AND BY THE MORE GENERAL MISTRUSTS OF POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT - -AN ATTITUDE THAT THE SPEAKER HAS HELPED FOSTER. .... [MR.] GINGRICH IS NO SAINT, BUT HE'S TAKING TOO MUCH HEAT [CRITICISM] OVER A LOAN FROM HIS OLD SENATE COLLEAGUE."

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES IS JOINING MANY OTHER PAPERS IN CALLING FOR THE SENATE TO RATIFY THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY, CALLING IT "A VITAL STEP TOWARD ERECTING BETTER BARRIERS AGAINST THE PROLIFERATION AND USE OF ... FRIGHTFUL ..... WEAPONS." AND HERE IS THE WASHINGTON POST ON A CONTROVERSY OVER THE RUSSIAN CROWN JEWELS, SUPPOSEDLY ON-LOAN TO SEVERAL U-S MUSEUMS. THEY'RE STUCK IN WASHINGTON, D-C, LITERALLY HEMMED IN BY RUSSIAN EMBASSY CARS, AFTER A MUSEUM SHOW, BECAUSE RUSSIA WANTS THEM BACK, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BE DRIVEN TO HOUSTON FOR ANOTHER EXHIBIT.

VOICE: "SOME AMERICANS WONDER WHETHER THE RUSSIAN SIDE, HAVING SEEN THE SUCCESS OF THE CORCORAN [MUSEUM] SHOW, SIMPLY WANTS A FATTER [LARGER] SHARE OF THE TAKE [ADMISSION PRICE]."

TEXT: FINALLY, THIS IS EARTH DAY, A NATIONAL OBSERVANCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR HOME PLANET AND HOW WE TREAT IT. SAYS MAINE'S PORTLAND PRESS HERALD, THE DAY STILL CALLS THE UNITED STATES TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AS WHEN THE FIRST EARTH DAY IN 1970 REALLY STIRRED PEOPLE'S IMAGINATIONS. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS PUBLIC LANDS, AND THE PAPER SAYS:

VOICE: ".... A REMARKABLE MOSAIC OF MOUNTAINS, LAKES, RIVERS, SEASHORES, PLAINS, FORESTS, GRASSLANDS AND DESERTS.' THESE ARE THE NATIONAL PARKS ... FORESTS ... WILDLIFE REFUGES ... AND OTHER NATIONAL LANDS. LIKE CLEAN AIR, THEY SHOULD BE CHERISHED AND PROTECTED, ON EARTH DAY AND EVERY DAY."

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THE NATION'S PRESS THIS TUESDAY.
NEB/ANG/NL
22-Apr-97 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] WORLDSPACE BY YEHEYES WUHIB (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A WASHINGTON-BASED FIRM IS PROMISING TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY RADIO SIGNALS ARE BROACAST AROUND THE WORLD. THE COMPANY, WORLDSPACE, SAYS IT HAS THE TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW-HOW (KNOWLEDGE) TO DELIVER NEW BROADCASTING SERVICE TO MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION BY 1999. AT A RECENT WASHINGTON LUNCHEON, THE FIRM UNVEILED ITS VISION TO AFRICAN TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTERS AND AMBASSADORS. V-O-A'S YEHEYES WUHIB PREPARED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THE CHAIRMAN OF WORLDSPACE, NOAH SAMARA, SAYS BILLIONS OF LISTENERS AROUND THE WORLD ARE NOT ENJOYING THE FULL BENEFIT OF RADIO. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTERS, MR. SAMARA INTENDS TO DELIVER A BROAD SPECTRUM OF HIGH-FIDELITY RADIO CHANNELS, RANGING FROM A-M (RADIO) EQUIVILANT TO C-D (COMPACT DISC) QUALITY SOUND, TO CITIES AND VILLAGES AROUND THE WORLD.

THE ESSENTIAL VISION BEHIND THE COMPANY IS TO LINK LITERALLY FOUR-PLUS BILLION (MORE THAN FOUR BILLION) PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WITH INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT DELIVERY INFRASTRUCTURE.

MINISTERS OF COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND AMBASSADORS FROM MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES ATTENDED THE WASHINGTON PRESENTATION. THEY WERE TOLD THAT WORLDSPACE SOON WILL LAUNCH THREE SATELLITES TO CREATE THE LARGEST RADIO BROADCAST COVERAGE AREA IN THE WORLD.

THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (THE S-A-D-C), KAIRE MBUENDE, SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY OFFERED BY WORLDSPACE.

WE CANNOT BE GLOBAL PLAYERS WITHOUT EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND, HENCE, WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THIS INITIATIVE. WE WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU (WORLDSPACE) IN MAKING SURE YOUR IDEAS OF BRINGING THIS TECHNOLOGY TO AFRICA BECOMES A REALITY.

THE S-A-D-C OFFICIAL ALSO EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WILL ENHANCE REGIONAL INTEGRATION, HELP RESTRUCTURE THE AFRICAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND STRENGTHEN AFRICAN UNITY.

GHANA IS ONE OF 13 AFRICAN COUNTRIES THAT SO FAR HAVE SHOWN AN INTEREST IN WORKING WITH WORLDSPACE. GHANA'S VICE PRESIDENT, JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF HIS COUNTRY.

THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE MET IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANY RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. ANY TECHNOLOGY, THEREFORE, THAT WILL ENABLE US TO INFORM, EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN OUR PEOPLE IS SOMETHING WE MUST EMBRACE. GHANA IS ONE OF THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH HAS EXPRESSED THE SUPPORT FOR THE TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY WORLDSPACE WANTS TO INTRODUCE TO US.

THE GHANAIAN VICE PRESIDENT SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WAS ORGANIZING A CONFERENCE, HOSTED BY WORLDSPACE, TO FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY AND WHAT HE CALLED DISTANCE EDUCATION. HE SAID THE ACCRA CONFERENCE ( -- A DATE FOR WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED -- ) WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERS OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD TO COME TOGETHER WITH EXPERTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL POSSIBILITIES THAT WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE. (SIGNED)
NEB/YW/NCB/RRM
22-Apr-97 3:35 PM EDT (1935 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article